What are the three criteria for making decisions regarding the use of deadly force?

The three criteria for making decisions regarding the use of deadly force are ability, opportunity, and intent.

Ability refers to the perceived capability of the individual being confronted to inflict serious harm or death. This includes physical prowess, possession of a weapon, or any means that could potentially cause lethal harm.

Opportunity is about whether the individual has the means to execute that capability at that moment. Even if someone has the ability to cause harm, they must also have the opportunity to do so, meaning they are physically in a position to inflict that harm.

Intent signifies the psychological motivation behind the actions of the individual, indicating whether they are willing and likely to carry out a harmful act. Understanding the intent helps delineate if the situation poses a legitimate threat to the officer or others.

Together, these criteria help law enforcement officers assess the severity of the threat and make informed decisions about the appropriateness of resorting to deadly force in a given situation.